Nattratreeswarar Temple, Kangayampalayam, Erode
Natadreeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated
to Lord
Shiva, located at Kangayampalayam Village near Erode Town in Erode
District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is situated on a hillock island inside
the River
Kaveri, near the Erode Town, on Erode-Karur Highways.
Presiding Deity is called as Nattratreeswarar / Agastheeswarar and Mother is
called as Nalla Nayaki / Annapoorani.
Legends
Agasthiar made a Lingam out of sand, placed it on the
hillock in the middle of the river Cauvery, garlanded the Lingam with his Rudraksha
Malai and sat in deep meditation. His meditation got disturbed on the
first day of Chithirai (Tamil New year day). He tried to remove his Rudraksha
Malai from the Lingam. Then he heard the holy voice of Lord
Shiva asking him not to disturb the present setup and telling
him that he went there not only to bless him alone but also his devotees and
whoever goes there and worships him. Later Agasthiar went to the south and
finished his assigned work. He prepared an herbal tablet.
On consuming the tablet, he could present himself in any
place he wanted to go. Using such power, he came again to the hillock where he
was welcomed and blessed by none other than Lord
Muruga. About 3000 years ago Chola kings
constructed the temple and named the deity as Agastheeswarar. The Athee tree
located inside the temple is believed to be 3000 years old. Devotees throng
this temple in thousands on Tamil New Year day and offer prayers to him to get
his blessings.
The Temple
The temple constructed on the hillock island is situated
in the middle of the river Cauvery - middle not only breadthwise but also
lengthwise (at the center between Kudagu, where the river originates and Bay of
Bengal at Kaveripoompattinam). Presiding Deity is called as Nattratreeswarar / Agastheeswarar.
The Shivalinga is made of sand by sage Agasthya. Of the five categories of
Earth classification in our scriptures, this place belongs to Prithvi class
(Sand).
Mother is called as Nalla Nayaki / Annapoorani. Lord
Muruga in the temple graces in a walking form with his right leg forward and
the left at the back. The form represents his welcome to Sage Agasthya when the
latter came to the temple to worship Lord Shiva. Lord Muruga is holding a
parrot in his left hand is also noteworthy.
Sthala Vriksham is Athi tree. The holy Athi tree is on a
rock in the temple complex. This is an ancient tree that has no new branches. Theertham
is Cauvery River. And from the banks of Cauvery, Ferry boat Services are
available to the temple, as well as to the other bank of the river from Patlur village,
Tiruchengode Taluk Namakkal District.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. in the morning to
6.00 p.m. in the evening.
Festivals
Adi Perukku in July-August, first day of Chithirai month
(formerly Tamil New Year day falling almost on April 14), Margazhi Tiruvadhirai
in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple. On the last
Monday of Karthikai month (November-December) abishek is performed to the Lord
with 108 conches.
Prayers
It is believed by the locals that if anyone comes here
with a wish then the wish gets fulfilled.
Contact
Nattratreeswarar Temple,
Kangayampalayam,
Erode District – 637 210
Phone: +91 424 320 1675
/ 292 0039
Mobile: +91 98420 22017
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 12 Kms from Pasur, 14 Kms
from Erode Railway Junction, 15 Kms from Erode Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Erode, 29
Kms from Kodumudi, 55 Kms from Karur, 58 Kms from Namakkal and 102 Kms from Coimbatore
Airport. The Temple is situated on Erode – Karur Highways.
The Temple is well connected with City bus services to Erode. All the city
buses running in between Erode Bus Stand and Pasur will
make a stop at Kangayampalayam.
Location